The New Travel Thread: Now with write ups in the OP

That blows

 

Jaco is a shit hole at night but you can definitely go out after 10 lol

 

It really is fine. Like it's gross and I don't like hanging out with hookers and druggies and it's far from my favorite place but you can wander the main streets during popular hours and be ok

But I understand the sentiment

 

Somehow my wife and mom roped me into a Christmas Cancun vacation....will I get murdered by the cartel or just robbed?

 

Most likely killed by a Jet Ski drive by

 

Rent a car and go to Tulum instead

 

941Gator'd

 

Officially checked out until the New Year. Not getting shit done.

After South Africa in April/May, looking like my next trip will be about a week/10 days over Memorial Day.

How hot is Spain/southern Europe at that time? Iceland is also in play. China and Beijing look to be miserably hot that time of year.

 

Southern Europe/Spain around Memorial Day should be nice 70s/80s very Northern California type weather then

 

You will be very letdown by the lack of danger you will face

 

Wow googled tulum, looks beautiful

 

It's pretty dope and I was blown away

 

Can I get some advice on Grand Cayman islands??

Is it all mega resorts?? Any VBRO/smaller areas


Trying to find Zika free destinations and Hawaii is unfortunately out due a broken foot

 

It doesn't look that cool and basically this. Huge reaorts

 

Espana bros:

looking at 8-9 days over Labor Day. Land Saturday AM, leave following Saturday/Sunday. I have several friends in Barca, so want to maximize my time there and want to be there for the last weekend.

Would you suggest Madrid --> Valencia --> Barca, or just Madrid --> Barca? I guess, is Madrid too big to do only 2-3 days, and then is Valencia worth only 2-3 days? Or would you say 4/5 in both Madrid and Barca rather than rush through?

 

The Rum Point part of the island is more low key than Seven Mile Beach.

From a friend who used to live on Grand Cayman --

Tourists attractions:
If you dive, that is the obvious answer here. I know people that used Deep Blue Divers a lot and always recommended them, but all the big ones are good.

1) Stingray city- By far the most popular thing on the island. Get to kiss and hang out with sting rays and also stop at a few snorkeling spots. I always used Captain Marvins to take friends. Probably around $35 per person and is a 4 hour tour

2) Rum Point- it is on the east side of the island, so you would have to rent a car. It is about 45 minutes from Seven Mile but you get to drive the entire island, so I recommend it. Stop and have a beer at Over the Edge on the way.
3) chartered boat party- probably not feasible unless you have at least 8-12 people, but the best experience on the island. The company Double Trouble is best. If your crew is big enough to do it, they will take you everywhere you need to see (including sting ray city) and it's a full day of drinking and doing whatever you want. Ask for Daniel- really cool guy.

Bars:
1) Calico Jacks- By far my favorite beach bar on seven mile. If you happen to be there on a full moon, go there. They throw huge parties on full moons. Perfect spot to day drink on the water and also busy on Saturday nights. If you get trashed there, order a cheeseburger quesadilla (not on the menu but they make it).

2) Royal Palms- Also on the beach in the middle of seven mile. They have a pool so it's good for during the day. Friday nights are big there and it's an outdoor club scene.

3) Whiskey Mist- It is not on the beach, but is where tons of young people hang out at night. Also has a club above it that opens when it closes and stays open until around 4 am.

4) Havana Club- must check it out. Authentic Cuban bar and only bar you can smoke cigars indoors. Huge humidor with all Cuban cigars. Get a mojito and buccanero Cuban beer. They also have a poor mans strip club in the back you can go into for $20 and has Cuban and Latina dancers.

5) Lonestar- somewhat Texas themed. Serves subpar barbecue but also has live music some nights And rock-n-roll bingo on Thursdays.

If your find yourself really needing to watch a game, go to PD's. In a strip mall, but best sports bar.

Food:
Most places in Cayman are high end and there are plenty of good spots.
1) Calypso Grill. By far my favorite fresh seafood. Nice and expensive And should make a reservation, but I highly recommend.

2) Sunset house- casual and on the water in South Sound. It is kinda odd as it serves typical bar food and seafood but also great Indian food.

3) Sunshine Grill- It's at the Sunshine Suites hotel across from the Westin and is casual. Best seafood tacos on the island.

4) Luca- go for Sunday brunch. It's about $75 a person but has full raw bar and pretty much anything you want. Also bottomless mimosas. Might want a reservation if you go.

Others worth checking out:
Morgan's Harbour (nice/expensive)
Macabucca (casual on the water)

Also, Camana Bay is an upscale shopping area and has quite a few nice restaurants.

 

Madrid isn't too big for 2-3. 5 is a lot. 4 is fine. Haven't done Valencia, enjoyed Sevilla and Mallorca a lot. Good time for Mallorca. Sevilla can be done quickly

 

I'm definitely doing Madrid and Barca, so I think Sevilla is too out of the way. Would like to avoid taking a domestic flight over there, would prefer either renting a car or train---so Madrid to Barca, or Madrid-Valencia-Barca makes the most sense logistically.

Madrid to Valencia is 2 hours, Valencia to Barca is 3. Madrid to Barca is 6 hours. Did you train/fly/drive when you were there?

 

Did all three. Train to Sevilla from Madrid, drove to punta Umbria/national parks down there. Flew to Mallorca then flew back to the mainland. All were real easy

 

If you're set on those three I'd do 3 Madrid, 2 Valencia, then Barca probably

 

Seems to make the most sense. Some brief Googling also says Costa Brava is legit. Beach area NE of Barcelona.

In the next few months will monitor flights and figure it out, hopefully. Fly into Madrid on Aug 30/31, fly out of Barca on Sept 7/8

 

I had a crazy time in Valencia but we were lucky enough to be there during their biggest festival of the year, Las Fallas. Really outside of that time, theres not much to do besides ciudad de las artes which is pretty great. I’d probably try to fit in all 3 cities, but only give Valencia 2 nights, 1 day.

 

A co-worker rented a car on the west coast of Spain earlier this year and said it was super easy. Would be ideal to rent a car in Madrid, drive to Valencia, then drive up the coast to Barca.

 

Now that the UEFA CL draw happened and I know Manchester City will be home while we are there I can start to plan some.

We are flying out of Cleveland on 3/10 and landing in London 3/11. We will take the train up to Manchester 3/12 and hit the match (Texted a former coworker that moved to KC and he will also be there so probably catch up at a pub before the match). Train back to London Wednesday and do tours of Harry Potter WB Studio and Stonehenge 3/14 and 3/15.

3/16-3/21 will depend on what happens with City. Ideally try to get back up to Manchester on Saturday for Manchester Derby or FA Cup match then fly to Rome for a few days.
Would definitely plan on Vatican City 3/18

 

That’d work. We took busses between the 3 and was simple.

 

Let me know if any help with tips on tickets and stuff, I did an epl/champions league trip there this year

 

Thanks I should be good on tickets for any home matches.

I’m part of 2 official Man City supporters groups (been in one for Pittsburgh as they were closest when I started and then Columbus started one) and can get tickets at face through them. One of the guys in the Columbus Group sat first row at the corner flag for City/Chelsea in March.

For away, I have no idea if I could still get them through the club and the derby would be away. Possible FA QF could be away also

 

We actually sat in the MC away section at Anfield for the UCL QF, good peeps

 

If anyone is ever looking for a fun Christmas Eve Montevideo is lit as fuck. This is great

 

loved Madrid. Easily doable in 3 days. Honestly, might be better that way

 

Speaking of Spain, has anyone ITT been to Bilbao? I booked a weekend there in February centred around seeing Athletic Club - Barcelona.

 

just went 2 months ago my dude

 

What would be the one or two things to do on the day the game’s not on?

 

do the museums, especially the Guggenheim. Walk along the river. If you have a day, go to San Sebastian and spend time there. Bilbao was great but 48 hours was enough

 

Nailed it !

 

Also, as a Catalonian, I would admit the food in San Sebastian to be better than Barcelona area. Not that Barcelona is bad but San Sebastian I have found to be other worldly.

 

I am now home from my trip and I don't really know why, but here I am I guess

Will write up soon

 

Spain is definitely happening over Labor Day. On Fri Aug 30, fly into London cheap, either spend one night there or fly straight to Madrid. Madrid until Tues/Wed, then drive to Barcelona, possibly through Valencia. Spend Wed/Thurs in Barca until the following Sunday.

Easy 8/9 day trip, flights are pretty damn cheap. Going to use those AAdvantage points.

 

Gonna be some decent fees attached to using AA points to fly to London

 

2018: Ecuador - Alaska - Ethiopa/Cairo - Mex City
2019: Kauai - South Africa - Spain - [NYE?]

 

Would it be better for Chase?

 

Are the AA more beneficial domestic?

 

Don't know. Chase points use the price of the ticket with the fees built in. AA points are frequent flier miles so the ticket price is irrelevant but flying into london has a ton of fees you pay on top of it